Albania is a little bit of a contradiction. On the one hand, it stays extremely underrated and nonetheless manages to fly underneath the radar in comparison with better-known European locations.
On the similar tome, Albania noticed tourism rise by nearly 125% between 2019 and 2024, so the phrase is clearly getting out! (A giant issue was the pandemic, when there have been fewer journey restrictions in place in Albania in comparison with different international locations on the time, serving to to place it on the journey map.)
Whereas there’s been some buzz round Albania lately, you may not but know as a lot about this Balkan nation and questioning simply what to anticipate.
I’ll be sincere: I believe Albania is fantastic, however for the second it will not be fairly for everybody.
Regardless of the hype, Albania continues to be very a lot a diamond within the tough. For those who’re anticipating a excessive stage of growth or for, say, the seaside tourism to be wherever on par with Greece or Croatia by way of vibe or sophistication you’ll in all probability be dissatisfied.
Nevertheless, for those who get pleasure from journey locations otherwise you’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly various to crowded hotspots in Europe, you would possibly actually like Albania.
Let me share some impressions of Albania so you can also make up your individual thoughts as as to if it’s the correct vacation spot for you.
Stage of growth
Let me stress that Albania stays one of many least developed international locations in Europe. It typically jogged my memory extra of touring in Central or Southeast Asia greater than of (Western) Europe.
Whereas I contemplate this a part of its attraction, I simply wish to make it clear what kind of vacation spot Albania is.
Simply to clarify what to anticipate: Whereas some predominant roads have been improved utilizing international funds, many are nonetheless potholed to the acute. You could sometimes additionally see trash within the street berms or homes in disrepair. Public transport is kind of usable although it’s underdeveloped in comparison with different European international locations: it depends on previous coach buses or furgons, unlicensed minibuses just like what you discover in lots of creating international locations world wide. These are just a few examples.
Whereas I really like locations like this as they’re so genuine and full of journey, these anticipating a extremely polished vacation expertise might really feel extra at dwelling in close by Greece or Croatia.
However then once more… Albania’s shoreline is amazingly unspoiled, arguably being the final remaining Mediterranean shoreline that’s nonetheless principally pristine. The trekking within the Accursed Mountains is totally epic. And the newly established Vjosa Wild River Nationwide Park now totally protects one of many final wild rivers in Europe and is promising to develop into a serious ecotourism vacation spot. For those who’re into tradition, delicacies, and historical past, then cities like Tirana and Gjirokaster provide all these in spades. Simply to call a number of of the highlights!
Sure, Albania undoubtedly has the potential to be the ‘subsequent Croatia’ sooner or later. For now, it’s nonetheless comparatively off-path, so now’s the time to discover it earlier than the remainder of the world finds out!
Causes to Go to Albania
The various landscapes
Journey lovers and seaside bums will each discover Albania to their liking, with the Albanian Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and plenty of mesmerizing lakes to discover.
Virtually three-quarters of Albania’s land is mountainous, making for some fairly spectacular trekking alternatives and jaw-dropping vistas.
For those who’re into mountain climbing, then the Valbona to Theth path within the Alps is an absolute should. I promise the stellar views are price each little bit of this day-long hike! For longer treks, don’t miss the Peaks of the Balkans path.
In search of a seaside? Head to the Albanian Riviera cities of Sarandë or Ksamil, the place you’ll be able to swim in attractive turquoise waters.
The historical past is fascinating
Do you know that Albania was as soon as generally known as “the North Korea of Europe”?
Albania has a few of the most fascinating histories I’ve dived into in Europe, owing specifically to its grim a long time underneath the ruthless and paranoid dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.
For a substantial a part of the twentieth century, Albania was fully closed off to the Western world, creating on a separate monitor from its neighbors — all of the whereas being linguistically distinctive from the remainder of Europe.
Over the centuries, Albania has additionally been repeatedly conquered by the likes of the Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Empires, every including their marks on the nation.
The turbulent historical past stays evident all through fashionable Albania. Ottoman structure dominates cities like Berat, whereas nuclear bunkers from the late 1900s are scattered round Albania, a few of which you’ll go to in Tirana.
It’s protected to say Albanians have been by way of a hell of numerous hardships, and brushing up in your historical past at websites just like the Nationwide Historical past Museum will provide you with a brand new appreciation for this resilient nation.
It’s extremely budget-friendly
The times of Albania being rock-bottom low-cost for vacationers at the moment are over, nevertheless it nonetheless provides some wonderful worth for cash. You possibly can journey right here for fairly a bit lower than you’ll pay within the likes of Greece and Italy, making it an awesome various to those Mediterranean hotspots.
Listed here are some concepts of the costs:
Mid-range residence or resort within the capital: round €40 to €50
Dorm mattress in a backpacker hostel: round €12.
Native dishes in an informal restaurant: €6
Avenue meals reminiscent of burek, an Albanian meat-filled pastry: simply €1.50
It has a thriving backpacking scene
The Balkan area is a mecca for backpackers trying to get a little bit off the crushed path, and Albania has develop into considerably of a hub for journey on this pocket of Europe.
It’s a lot quieter than the ever-popular backpacking trails of Western and Southern Europe however has develop into an up-and-coming spot for vacationers who wish to expertise a extra untouched assortment of nations.
The hostel scene is flourishing in Albania. One thing I appreciated so much was what number of hostels are native and family-run, having an actual ‘traveler vibe’ that’s generally lacking from bigger chain hostels. (This additionally goes for close by Bosnia-Herzegovina by the way in which, the place I discovered the hostels to have a real native attraction.)
For those who like down-to-earth journey, you’ll certainly love travelling in Albania, the place issues aren’t but so overorganized or commercialized.
The meals is to die for
Albania’s location within the southeast of Europe means it’s influenced by the cuisines of its Balkan neighbors, in addition to that of nations like Turkey and Italy.
This has made Albania’s meals a singular melting pot of flavors. Even throughout the nation, you’ll come throughout completely different dishes relying on the area you’re visiting.
Here’s a fast rundown of the entire meals you merely can’t go away Albania with out attempting:
- Burek – This flaky pastry dish is usually full of beef however can also be generally made utilizing cheese, potatoes, or greens. You received’t should look far to get your fingers on some, as this super-inexpensive favourite is present in bakeries and cafes in nearly each nook of the nation. Although it’s typically thought-about a breakfast meals, it’s completely acceptable to tuck into burek at any time of day.
- Baklava – Having spent centuries underneath Ottoman rule, it’s no shock that baklava is amongst Albanian’s prime decisions relating to desserts. For those who’re unfamiliar with this candy deal with, it’s a mix of crispy filo pastry, nuts, and syrup. Like byrek, you’ll be capable of discover baklava nearly wherever within the nation.
- Tavë Kosi – Albania’s nationwide dish, tavë kosi, is a hearty mixture of baked lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs. Though it feels like a peculiar mixture, every ingredient comes collectively completely to create a heat, casserole-like dish that’s good after a protracted day of mountain climbing! There’s loads of debate about the place serves the very best tavë kosi, however I can’t fault Tirana’s tackle this culinary delight.
- Fërgesë – Feta cheese, tomatoes, and peppers are baked collectively on this tasty dish, which may be loved by itself or as a aspect. Relying on the place within the nation you end up, the cheese can range, so each plate is a little bit completely different from the final. It’s often served in central Albania, however you received’t wrestle to search out fërgesë in most cities and cities.
The nightlife scene
Admittedly, being an older backpacker, I don’t dive into the nightlife as a lot lately. Nevertheless, I may simply inform that Albania has a lot to supply on this entrance.

Whereas I skipped the nightlife in Tirana, fellow vacationers have been very a lot into the scene there. Cozy pubs, swanky cocktail bars, and nightclubs open till the early hours are present in a lot of Albania’s bigger cities, however the capital is dwelling to a few of the greatest areas for an evening in town.
Even for those who’re not usually a bar-goer, I can just about assure you’ll eat some raki by the top of your keep. That is Albanian’s best-loved spirit, and it additionally occurs to be robust sufficient to make your eyes water!
Loved after meals, as a toast, and whilst a part of breakfast by some Albanians, this conventional drink will in all probability be provided to you extra occasions than you’ll be able to rely.
Albanian individuals are very hospitable
With reference to raki, the explanation this pungent liquor can be served as much as you again and again is essentially due to how welcoming and heat the Albanian individuals are. For those who’re invited for a meal by locals, count on tons of raki to be flowing.
Now, to be sincere, I’ve heard various studies on the hospitality or friendliness of Albanians. Some travellers instructed me they felt they have been much less outwardly pleasant than anticipated — or that some males displayed sexist conduct. Others spoke of hitchhiking by way of Albania, assembly so many fantastic locals, and even being invited to a village social gathering. So… your mileage might range.
It’s all the time tough to generalize from a restricted variety of (subjective) encounters on a visit. Perhaps it’s honest to say that since Albania went by way of a long time residing underneath a paranoid dictatorship, adopted by years of excessive criminality, the deeper cultural vibe might not all the time be stars and rainbows. Nevertheless, I discovered significantly those that work together with vacationers commonly to be delightfully welcoming and even excited so that you can be travelling in Albania.
It’s a lot safer than you would possibly count on
Lastly, what retains some guests away is outdated details about the safety state of affairs in Albania.
To be honest, Albania did have fairly a ‘wild west’ interval after the autumn of the dictatorship within the Nineteen Nineties, which rightfully earned it a repute for crime and violence. However these days are fortunately long gone.
Right now Albania is a protected nation to journey by way of and one which’s centered on lowering crime and corruption in order to sooner or later be part of the European Union. Whereas illicit enterprise does happen, it’s one thing that may be very a lot behind-the-scenes and never a visual a part of each day life (not in contrast to how it’s in southern elements of Italy).
You could bear in mind that there’s nonetheless such a factor because the ‘Albanian mafia’. When motion motion pictures require some baddies, they are going to typically wheel out the Albanian stereotype. However whereas they nonetheless have some foundation in actuality, you’ve gotten little to fret about as a vacationer.
Because of a typically low crime charge, Albania has gained a repute as one of many most secure spots within the Balkans. I’ve met many solo (feminine) vacationers in Albania who thought-about it very protected, and even hitchhiking appears to be a preferred option to journey round Albania, which might not be the case if there have been many risks concerned.
In fact, relating to main cities, I often are usually particularly aware of protecting my belongings hidden and avoiding remoted or dimly lit areas, although Tirana felt a lot safer than numerous equally sized cities.
So, all in all, is Albania price visiting?
My reply is an emphatic “YES!”, particularly as a result of I really like funds and journey journey for which Albania is most suited.
However for those who’re on the lookout for a journey vacation spot the place the buses all the time run on time and the place all of the tourism infrastructure is ideal, then different international locations will (for now) be a more sensible choice.
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Posted FEB 03, 2025